One of the example of startup that is huge success in Europe, but in USA similar models aren't that successful (Zimride pivoted to Lyft, Ridejoy closed).
I don't see it. So they compare a ride via BlaBlaCar to the train but are there additional hidden costs? Is that 20 Euro fee the money paid to BlaBlaCar or the person you are riding with? Is there some understanding of paying the driver more for fuel? Really I don't see the valuation as they clearly state they are not there to generate profit for those offering the rides. Unless there is expected to be some sort of change where costs go up I still see people simply short circuiting the system should the price go up.<p>Also, where is liability? Uber was fine until it started making a dent in established businesses. This hasn't yet but will get notice because of the headlines.
For anyone curious of the name as I was<p><a href="https://www.blablacar.co.uk/blog/our-story-continued" rel="nofollow">https://www.blablacar.co.uk/blog/our-story-continued</a><p><a href="https://www.blablacar.co.uk/blog/are-you-a-blabla" rel="nofollow">https://www.blablacar.co.uk/blog/are-you-a-blabla</a><p>Members are asked to rate how chatty they are from bla to bla bla bla
I'm surprised so many are willing to trust a random stranger's driving especially on long rural roads, which are more dangerous. I would not even trust a licensed livery driver for this, or even most friends.<p>It's amazing how people are willing to hand total control of their lives to people they know nothing about.
This is crazy. Before this article, I hadn't even heard of BlaBlaCar before. Seems ride sharing is still a market with lots of potential to raise copious amounts of venture capital.
This poor company will go the way of Daily Motion if Hollande stays president. Any decent exit will get blocked. Either that or they'll leave France before they are exposed to the risk.
I have an idea! No execution. Can I have my $20bn yet?<p>When did profitability become irrelevant to investors?<p>I assume from the downvotes you collectively have some kind of secret as to how they intend to end up profitable? Not revenue. Profit. Revenue is vanity.<p>If they're valued at $1.4bn, at a reasonable multiplier, I guess they're profiting $500m/yr - right? Right?